It is a
recognised fact that India presents a great investment and business
opportunity in the Herbal Sector, with the prospects of the country emerging as
a global leader in the field. It is also well known that Tamil Nadu is a
significant player in the Indian Herbal industry, with substantial production
and market share.
In recent times, there has been an enlightened awareness among the citizens of
the country about the natural advantages that this country is
endowed with.
This
is particularly conspicuous in the area of the indigenous therapy or alternative
medicine, as they have come to be known.
A general view that such medicines could be taken recourse to, for better and
safe therapeutic effect, has definitely come to be established.
Main reasons for a shift “Back to Natural”
Peoples' concern over toxicity and side effects from modern drugs
Realisation that natural medicines are safer
Realisation that allopathic drugs are often ineffective against many chronic
complaints
The medical fraternity has begun to acknowledge the value of some herbal
medicines.
Herbal medicines are generally less expensive than allopathic drugs
Opportunities in Tamil Nadu
Traditional knowledge and expertise
Varying climatic conditions and soil conditions, facilitating the growth of
variety of herbs
Tamil Nadu’s huge historical knowledge base and resource base, if properly
harnessed and channelised, will make the state a primary player.
Widespread acceptance of Indian expertise abroad
Excellent potential in global market
Tamil Nadu Government’s initiatives
Sensing the opportunities provided by the natural advantages particularly in the
herbal sector, the Government of Tamil Nadu has initiated various measures to
give a fillip to the herbal movement.
One among such initiatives is the study commissioned to submit a professional
study/research report on various aspects
of medicinal plants unique to Tamil
Nadu. One of the objectives of Tamil Nadu Medicinal Plants Board under whose
auspices the study has been conducted, is to increase the commercial value and
market opportunities for the herbal plants.
This report submitted after extensive research, deals with various issues and
opportunities involving the herbal industry in the state. It further studies
extensively the potentials for fifteen medicinal plants unique to the state and
the opportunities provided by them to the herbal entrepreneurs and consumers.
In fact, in the case of several products such as Senna, Periwinkle, Davana,
Indigo, Tamil Nadu has emerged as the trend setter.
Herbal industry, in general, involves a cross section of functions involving
several subjects such as Chemistry, Botany, Agriculture, Engineering,
Technology, Management, Toxicology Study, Testing, Pharmacology, Marketing etc.
The report further highlights the importance of other ancillary industries and
how they could be of assistance to the herbal sector.
Need for an information network
In the light of the above and to consolidate the natural advantages that the
state possesses, the Tamil Nadu Government felt that it is imperative to have a
strong and potent information network. Such a network, it is felt, would go a
long way in serving as an interactive platform to various herbal entrepreneurs.
This has been the long felt need of the herbal entrepreneurs, as well, engaged
in giving practical shape to their plans of conceptualizing, designing,
implementing and operating their herbal projects.
The ideal approach to creating such an information network and to provide a
forum for exchange of information is by means of launching an interactive
portal. It hardly needs any emphasis that the Governmental institutions are the
best placed to launch such initiatives with the avowed objective of providing a
thrust to the industrial growth. The result is the interactive portal that has
been launched by Tamil Nadu Medicinal Plants Board.
The objectives of this portal are varied and many including the following but
not limited to the following:
To facilitate and promote healthy exchange of ideas among organisations and
individuals involved in the herbal sector and present them with a nodal platform
to exchange useful information and keep them up to date with developments.
The portal would enable the present and prospective cultivators, producers, R
& D organisations and trading houses to get adequate understanding of the
opportunities available in Tamil Nadu.
To provide data base and facilities for Indian herbal players to interact
with each other and identify the business and technological opportunities.
Expectations
This interactive portal platform launched by the Tamil Nadu Medicinal Plant
Board, besides promoting a herbal movement in the state, is also bound to be
hailed as a pioneering initiative with the benefit of promoting a herbal
movement in the country leading to huge economic spin-offs.
Tamil Nadu State Medicinal
Plant Board
Indian Medicine and Homeopathy
Anna Nagar, Chennai 600 106
Phone No: 91-44-26216244 & 91-44-26214844, 91-44-26281563
Email :
tnsmpb@tn.nic.in
endowed with. 
of medicinal plants unique to Tamil
Nadu. One of the objectives of Tamil Nadu Medicinal Plants Board under whose
auspices the study has been conducted, is to increase the commercial value and
market opportunities for the herbal plants.
Government felt that it is imperative to have a
strong and potent information network. Such a network, it is felt, would go a
long way in serving as an interactive platform to various herbal entrepreneurs.
This has been the long felt need of the herbal entrepreneurs, as well, engaged
in giving practical shape to their plans of conceptualizing, designing,
implementing and operating their herbal projects.
